Exploring the Metro

More than a dozen neighborhoods with restaurants, retail, and more in walking distance

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St. Louis ranks among the top 25 most walkable cities in the United States, according to Walk Score. Here’s a look at more than a dozen vibrant neighborhoods in the region where you can do just about anything—without grabbing your car keys.

DOWNTOWN

Anticipation is building to a fever pitch around CITYPARK. Besides being home to St. Louis’ new Major League Soccer team, St. Louis CITY SC, the new stadium will host community events and be surrounded by shops, restaurants, and bars, including a 200-seat soccer bar at Union Station. The Brickline Greenway will run next to it, stretching from the Arch to Forest Park. Downtown living feels urban and upscale, as Ballpark Village expands next to Busch Stadium. (Check out the stadium views from the new One Cardinal Way apartments.) Frequent food truck gatherings and sunrise yoga also build community. Washington Avenue has a string of fun restaurants, bars, and shops, and there’s the America’s Center Convention Complex, which is getting a dramatic expansion and face-lift. Beyond taking a ride to the top of the city’s most iconic monument—and exploring the recently revamped museum beneath it—wander the grounds at Gateway Arch National Park and nearby Laclede’s Landing.

GRAND CENTER/MIDTOWN

Arts lovers are drawn to Grand Center. Home to the Fox Theatre, Powell Hall, The Sheldon, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, and the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, the neighborhood is a hub for performances and exhibitions. Circus Flora has a permanent home under the Big Top, and High Low offers a cup of coffee with a side of art—ideal for residents and students at nearby Saint Louis University. Across from IKEA, the much-anticipated City Foundry STL houses more than 15 dining spots in its food hall. Retail spots and more are on the way.

CENTRAL WEST END

Perhaps the city’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood, the CWE has upscale dining, shopping, entertainment, and modern living options. Learn about strategic masterminds at the World Chess Hall of Fame, and then walk next door for a mimosa at the chess-themed Kingside Diner. Luxury apartment buildings, such as the modern, skyline-defining 100 Above the Park, are not far from the Cortex Innovation Community and Washington University’s medical campus. The neighborhood also hosts lively events throughout the year, including an art stroll, St. Nicholas Greek Festival, and a popular Halloween party. It’s all at the doorstep of Forest Park, home to such beloved cultural institutions as the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Muny, the Saint Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center.

CHEROKEE STREET

A vibrant 10-block stretch in the heart of South St. Louis, Cherokee Street offers authentic Mexican eats, artisan shops, and some of the region’s best nightlife. The street is lined with such excellent restaurants as family-owned Taqueria El Bronco and Yaquis on Cherokee. It has galleries (such as The Luminary), small businesses (the new Noir Bookshop and Firecracker Press), and public art. Cherokee Street also hosts outdoor marketplaces and festivals, including the region’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration. And at night, visit some of the city’s most distinct nightlife spots, such as The Fortune Teller Bar and Whiskey Ring.

OLD NORTH

Brimming with community gardens and historic buildings, Old North is just a five-minute drive from downtown. The century-old Crown Candy Kitchen is a draw for locals and tourists alike, and the adjacent Crown Square has a range of salons, shops (for instance, Elizabeth Saint James), and artsy faves (Central Print and Urb Arts). Just to the west, there’s the Griot Museum of Black History, not far from the forthcoming, nearly $2 billion western headquarters of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. And despite being in the heart of the city, the 12-mile St. Louis Riverfront Trail is only a short ride away, hugging the western shore of the Mississippi from downtown to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

THE GROVE + TOWER GROVE SOUTH

The Grove has seen a surge of activity in recent years. It’s centrally located near Forest Park, the Wash. U. medical campus in the Central West End, and the new SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in Midtown. An assortment of new watering holes (Takashima Record Bar, Tropical Liqueurs) neighbor longtime LGBTQ+-nightlife spots (Rehab), breweries (Urban Chestnut, Rockwell Beer Company), restaurants (BEAST Butcher & Block, Sultan Mediterranean, Creole with a Splash of Soul, Songbird), and modern living options (4321Grove, Chroma STL, Steelcote Square). The vibrant atmosphere continues to grow more colorful, with its neon signs and new murals painted at GroveFest each fall. Nearby, South Grand serves as an international hub, with markets, coffee shops, and eats from around the world. The stretch lies just south of Tower Grove Park, which is dotted with ornate pavilions and hosts popular festivals and a farmers’ market. On South Grand, you can visit Jay International Foods for fresh global ingredients, Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant and Brasilia Bar & Restaurant for dinner, and Zee Bee Market for fair-trade gifts.

MAPLEWOOD

Aptly described as “somewhere between Mayberry and Metropolis,” this burg at the edge of the St. Louis city limits balances family-friendly charm with a hip vibe. Within the span of just a few blocks, you can start the day with a cup of joe (Living Room, Foundation Grounds), go gift shopping (Maven, Vom Fass, Penzeys), pick up a snack (Strange Donuts, Kakao Chocolate, Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions), and sit down to a nice meal (Acero, Asador Del Sur). Finally, toast the day with a pint: Schlafly Bottleworks serves dozens of varieties and hosts seasonal festivals, and Side Project Brewing allows early access to new beers through its membership program, La Coterie. Looking for even more options? Try Shared/Pizza Champ, a joint concept from the owners of Side Project and Elmwood.

KIRKWOOD & WEBSTER GROVES

Families flock to Kirkwood, home of The Magic House, the new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, and a popular farmers’ market where sno cones are served at Tropical Moose. At Kirkwood Park, there’s pickleball courts, a fishing lake, and an amphitheater that hosts a summertime concert series. Grab dinner and drinks on Billy G’s hopping patio, then enjoy a frozen treat at Clementine’s. Just west, in Webster Groves, you’ll likely notice that many homes’ front doors have plaques denoting they’re century homes—houses more than 100 years old. The neighborhood offers a wide range of renowned restaurants: Frisco Barroom, Olive + Oak, and the nationally lauded Balkan Treat Box, to name just a few.

OLD TOWN FLORISSANT

A decade ago, CNN Money named Florissant among the “Top 100 Places to Live in the United States.” Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, a 200-year-old Catholic church, is a landmark.  In Old Town Florissant, you can also find shops, restaurants, and more housed in historical buildings. Hendel’s serves steaks in a onetime grocery store that dates to 1873, and you can treat yourself to some sweets at Old Town Donuts and Made. by Lia Craft Bakery. The community comes together all year round for events like monthly block parties in the summertime and the Valley of Flowers festival in the spring.

DELMAR LOOP

The Delmar Loop is filled with icons—and not just those on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. After you’ve spotted the sidewalk stars emblazoned with the names of Maya Angelou, Harold Ramis, The Rockettes, and more, take a photo beside the statue of the late Chuck Berry, who for years performed at the Duck Room downstairs at Blueberry Hill, across the street. While you’re there, play one of his songs on the jukebox and pick up a record at Vintage Vinyl. Then, after strolling past the diverse range of shops and restaurants, catch a show at The Pageant or Delmar Hall next door. Finally, grab a drink on the rooftop of the Moonrise Hotel.

ST. CHARLES

Stroll the cobblestones of historic Main Street, passing the First State Capitol, and browse the dozens of charming shops that fill the centuries-old brick buildings. Along the way, brake for a coffee at Bike Stop Café, a pint at Schlafly Bankside, a rack of ribs at Salt + Smoke, crab cakes at Tompkins Riverside, and a nightcap at Bella Vino. But before you get too wrapped up in all the nostalgia, remember that St. Charles has plenty of modern draws beyond historic Main. Following the success of the Streets of St. Charles development, just south of Ameristar Casino and I-70, the Riverpointe development will feature a stretch of retail, restaurants, and more along the Missouri River.

METRO EAST

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, under-the-radar spot, look no farther than Belleville, home to the historic Skyview Drive-In and Eckert’s, which offers seasonal pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, as well as an old-time country store. In 2020, Plummer Family Park opened in Edwardsville, complete with far-reaching fields and pickleball courts. And near the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, the new Trace on the Parkway brings dining, shopping, and luxury apartments and townhomes.

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